The parents of 21-year-old journalism student Joe Drennan are devastated and outraged after learning that his killer, gangland criminal Kieran Fogarty, will not serve a single additional day in jail for taking their son’s life. The University of Limerick student was standing at a bus stop when he was killed in a high-speed hit-and-run in October 2023. But to the horror of Joe’s grieving family, the court ruled that Fogarty’s sentence for causing his death will run concurrently with an existing eight-year prison term for an unrelated firearms offence.

The Reckless Killing of Joe Drennan

On October 13, 2023, Joe Drennan was waiting at a bus stop on Dublin Road, Castletroy, when a speeding BMW 5 Series, driven by 21-year-old Kieran Fogarty, careered out of control and crashed into him. Moments before, Fogarty had been recklessly filming himself driving at 122km/h in a 50km/h zone, trying to outrun a Garda car while breaking red lights.

After the collision, instead of offering aid or calling for help, Fogarty fled the scene. He even attempted to wipe away forensic evidence from the car, but investigators matched his DNA to an airbag that deployed on impact. The fatal crash was just one of many crimes on his extensive record, which included 46 previous convictions—41 of them for dangerous driving and road traffic offences.

A Shockingly Light Sentence Sparks Outrage

Despite the overwhelming evidence of Fogarty’s reckless disregard for human life, the court handed him a six-and-a-half-year sentence for Joe’s killing. But the real shock came when Judge Tom Daly ruled that the sentence would run concurrently with an eight-year sentence Fogarty had already received for firing an illegal automatic firearm outside a house where children were playing in Limerick City.

Joe’s heartbroken father, Tim Drennan, was left stunned by the decision. In a moment that stunned the courtroom, he directly asked the judge:

“Sorry, Your Honour, does that mean that this fella will not serve a day in jail for killing my son?”

Judge Daly, who had initially stated that Fogarty’s hit-and-run sentence would run consecutively, later backtracked, leaving the Drennan family in utter disbelief.

“He Died Like a Dog on the Street”

Outside the courthouse, Joe’s parents, Tim and Marguerite Drennan, struggled to contain their anger and heartbreak. Holding a keyring with a photo of their son, Tim Drennan expressed his fury:

“That man gave Joe no help after he crashed into him, left him lying under the car, and now today he gets nothing for it. My son died like a dog on the street in Limerick, and this man walks away with no extra punishment.”

His wife Marguerite added:

“This is absolutely unbelievable. He did an awful lot of crime and only got a few years in jail. He got a free ride for killing Joe. It’s really hard to take.”

The family is now urging the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to appeal the sentence in the hope of securing a longer, consecutive sentence for Fogarty.

A Record of Crime and Violence

Fogarty’s criminal history paints a picture of a young man with a complete disregard for the law. His rap sheet includes:

• 46 previous convictions, mostly for road traffic offences
• Engaging in violent disorder
• Possession of cocaine, MDMA, and alprazolam for sale or supply
• Threatening to kill another individual in April 2023
• Shooting an automatic firearm at a house with children present

Despite this long list of crimes, the court’s decision means that his punishment for killing Joe Drennan effectively amounts to nothing.

A Call for Justice

Joe Drennan was not just another statistic. He was a bright, ambitious young man with a promising future. As chief editor of Limerick Voice and a contributor to Gay Community News, he was known for giving a voice to the voiceless. His senseless killing has left an irreplaceable void in the lives of his family, friends, and the entire University of Limerick community.

His sister, Sarah Drennan, spoke of the unimaginable loss her family has endured:

“Joe was taken from us in the most violent, senseless way possible. His death has left an unbearable emptiness in our lives.”

Now, the Drennan family is relying on the DPP to take action and appeal the court’s ruling. They believe that Fogarty’s concurrent sentencing sets a dangerous precedent—one that suggests reckless criminals can evade true accountability for their actions.

“What If There Had Been More Victims?”

Joe’s father also pointed out the horrifying reality of the case:

“What people should understand is that Joe was alone at that bus stop. There could have been 10 people there. Would Fogarty have still gotten a concurrent sentence if there were 10 deaths?”

The leniency shown to Fogarty has raised serious questions about the Irish justice system, particularly in cases where repeat offenders continue to endanger innocent lives.

Will Justice Be Served?

The Drennan family, along with the wider public, now wait anxiously to see if the DPP will appeal the ruling. For them, this is not just about their son—it is about preventing similar injustices in the future.

If anything, Joe Drennan’s tragic death serves as a reminder of the urgent need for tougher sentencing laws and stricter enforcement against repeat offenders who show no remorse for their actions.

For now, however, the pain remains raw for the Drennan family, who feel that their beloved son has been denied the justice he so rightly deserves.

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